Boston Marathon 2027: spectator guide and weekend itinerary

17 to 19 April 2027 · ConfirmedBoston, United StatesOne of the Abbott World Marathon Majors. Held on Patriots' Day (Monday).

Boston Marathon takes runners a few hours and spectators all day. This guide gives supporters cheer points they can reach by public transport, plans the expo day and race eve around tired legs, and fills the recovery day in Boston.

Tours in Boston Hotels for these dates

Know before you go

The race is on a Monday, Patriots' Day, with a Red Sox game at Fenway the same morning.
Hotels in Back Bay often need four-night minimums. Cambridge and Somerville on the Red Line are easier.

Airport to Finish: Boylston Street, Back Bay

Logan (BOS) has free Silver Line buses to South Station and the Blue Line subway; downtown is 15 to 30 minutes away.

The race runs point to point from Hopkinton to Boylston Street. Runners take school buses to the start; spectators use the T.

Public transport directions to Finish: Boylston Street, Back Bay

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	Cambridge and Somerville	Near Harvard and MIT, on the Red Line.
Mid-range	Back Bay	Walk to the marathon finish and Newbury Street.
Splurge	Seaport and Beacon Hill	Harbour and historic hotels.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: Freepoint Hotel Cambridge
Mid-range: The Lenox Hotel
Splurge: Fairmont Copley Plaza

Links search the nights from 16 April to 20 April. Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual marathon weekend schedule for 17 to 19 April 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Arrival and expo

Thursday 15 April

Runners collect bibs at the expo. Companions can split off for a half-day.

Half-dayDuck boat tour Half day · Low walking · Family
Land and river.
EatMike's Pastry Cannoli

Day before the race

Friday 16 April

Runners rest their legs: pick seated or slow outings, then an early pasta dinner.

Easy outingNorth End food tour Half day · Food
Cannoli and seafood.
EatQuincy Market Food hall

Race day

Saturday 17 April

Spectators: pick two cheer points you can reach by public transport, then meet at the finish.

Cheer pointWellesley College scream tunnel (around mile 13): commuter rail to Wellesley Square.
Cheer pointHeartbreak Hill and Boston College (miles 20 to 21): Green Line B or C branch.
EatUnion Oyster House Oldest restaurant in the US

Recovery day

Tuesday 20 April

Sore legs: boats, buses and long lunches beat walking tours today.

Easy outingFreedom Trail walking tour Half day · Family
Revolution history in 2.5 miles.
Rain or heat backupMIT Museum.

Family-friendly picks

Half day · Low walking · Family

Duck boat tour

Land and river.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

Cape Cod and Plymouth day trip

Beaches and Plymouth Rock.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

Freedom Trail walking tour

Revolution history in 2.5 miles.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

Harvard campus tour

Student-led tours of the Yard.

See times and prices

New England Aquarium.
Museum of Science.
Boston Children's Museum.

Evening and day-trip tours

Full day

Salem day trip

Witch trials history.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

Cape Cod and Plymouth day trip

Beaches and Plymouth Rock.

See times and prices

After dark

Fenway bars and Seaport rooftops.

8 tours worth booking for Boston Marathon

Tour	Length	Good for
Duck boat tour	Half day	Tired legs, Families
North End food tour	Half day	Food lovers
Salem day trip	Full day	Everyone
Cape Cod and Plymouth day trip	Full day	Families
Freedom Trail walking tour	Half day	Families
Harvard campus tour	Half day	Families
Whale watching from Boston harbor	Half day	Families
Fenway Park tour	Half day	Families

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

Neptune Oyster Lobster rolls in the North End
Mike's Pastry Cannoli
Quincy Market Food hall
Union Oyster House Oldest restaurant in the US
Mr. Bartley's Burgers by Harvard Yard

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

Museum of Fine Arts.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.
MIT Museum.

Getting around on event days

MBTA subway (the T) takes contactless; the Green Line serves the marathon finish area.
The marathon closes streets from Hopkinton to Copley: plan cheering spots near T stations.

Day trips from Boston

Salem: 30 minutes by train
Cape Cod: 1.5 hours
Newport: 1.5 hours

Bringing a group?

Corporate hospitality, fan clubs, teams and families travelling together: tell us the dates and group size and we will put together tours, transfers and a group dinner for Boston Marathon.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is Boston Marathon 2027?

The next edition is 17 to 19 April 2027.

How do I get from the airport to Finish: Boylston Street, Back Bay?

Logan (BOS) has free Silver Line buses to South Station and the Blue Line subway; downtown is 15 to 30 minutes away. The race runs point to point from Hopkinton to Boylston Street. Runners take school buses to the start; spectators use the T.

Where should I stay for Boston Marathon?

For most visitors the best base is Back Bay: Walk to the marathon finish and Newbury Street.

What else can we do around Boston Marathon?

Good short outings in Boston include Freedom Trail walking tour, Harvard campus tour, Whale watching from Boston harbor. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near Boston Marathon?

Family-friendly picks: Freedom Trail walking tour, Harvard campus tour, Whale watching from Boston harbor. New England Aquarium.

How far is Finish: Boylston Street, Back Bay from Boston centre?

About 2 km in a straight line. The race runs point to point from Hopkinton to Boylston Street. Runners take school buses to the start; spectators use the T.

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